In the study by Eddleston M et al [18], 2/32 (6.25%, 95% CI 1% – 19%) patients reverted to sinus rhythm spontaneously after 2 hours. Second degree and third degree heart block are markers of toxicity but may not be strong predictors of death (which may be due to myocardial toxicity rather than atrio-ventricular conduction block). Reversion to sinus rhythm is more likely with less severe second degree block. We would ideally have a sample size that ensured a significant number of third degree blocks Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical which are less likely to revert

spontaneously so that the effect of treatment in this sub-group can be seen. However, the proportions of the different grades of block are not well quantified and thus precise estimates of power in sub-groups are not possible. We expect up to 15% spontaneous reversion by two hours and believe a 40% reversion in the active treatment arm would be clinically significant and likely to provide strong evidence that Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical this would translate to a mortality benefit. This would require just 60 patients in each arm (α = 0.05, β = 0.8, missing data/dropout 10%). To increase

the likelihood of recruiting enough patients with 3rd degree heart block to see if the effect is observed Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in the most severely poisoned patients, and to account for possible differences between centres we intend to do a study of 120 patients in each arm. Study hypothesis and principal comparisons The primary outcome of the study is to investigate if the addition of FDP (250mg/kg http://www.selleckchem.com/products/rgfp966.html loading dose over 20 minutes followed by 6mg/kg/hr for 24 hours) to

routine treatment will completely reverse serious arrhythmias within two Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical hours. The study will also investigate the effect of FDP on the presence of abnormal rhythms and serum potassium and other electrolytes over 24 hours. Statistical Analysis The Primary outcome (proportion with reversion to sinus rhythm) will be Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical compared with the chi-squared test. Kaplan Meier curves will be constructed to demonstrate the cumulative reversion to sinus rhythm over time. A Cox proportional hazard model will be used to test the overall difference in reversion to sinus rhythm between treatments adjusted for baseline variables as necessary. A longitudinal statistical technique known as ALOX15 Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) will be used to analyze changes in electrolytes (e.g. potassium) over time. Independent data monitoring and ethics committee (IDMEC) The IDMEC will conduct the interim analysis and examine primary and secondary outcomes. We intend to do a planned interim analysis once a total of 120 patients had been randomised (i.e. 60 in the treatment arm and 60 in placebo) which may lead to modification of or cessation of the trial as outlined below. The IDMEC will be asked specifically to comment on the need for subsequent modification of the trial protocol for the infusion.